Supervisor Grant along with Council Members Mohun, Frounick, George and Gadd audited the Highway, General Fund and Special District claims, discussed Zoning Board’s complaints regarding zoning issues. Superintendent Jensen (just got back from Highway School in Ithaca) reported that the towns will be receiving the CHIPS money, discussed OSHA training and work place violence training with regard to the violation notice from the Department of Labor. Mr. Jensen also recommended, after review of the bids received last month for Plow and Body equipment for the new truck, that the town go with the low bidder – Valley Fab & Equipment - $72,653. Superintendent Jensen report that the Town Highway Dept. has been grading and ditching on Maxon, also doing some work on Kern where they are going to be building the new house, while doing that, discovered that the culvert is collapsing by Roberts, plans on fixing that. Discussed sink holes on dead end of Geise and Annette Forgnone’s letter regarding the drainage (water runoff) matter.
Supervisor Grant declared the meeting open and asked Councilman Gadd to lead the pledge to the flag. Present were Council Members Gadd, Frounick, George and Mohun, also Superintendent Jensen.
Supervisor Grant opened the public hearing to consider a Special Use Permit Application submitted by Michael Fontaine.
Minutes of the May 12th Regular and May 26th Special meetings – Supervisor Grant asked if any corrections or amendments. Motion made by George/Gadd to accept the minutes, voting all ayes, carried.
General Fund claims #140 – 165 totaling $6413.15 presented. Motion made by Frounick, seconded by Mohun to approve the General Fund claims submitted, voting all ayes, carried.
Highway claims #118 – 136 totaling $21,843.60 presented. Motion made by Mohun/Gadd to approve the highway claim submitted, voting all ayes, carried.
Special District claims: Cowlesville Water District claims #27 – 31 totaling $2579.86 and Cowlesville Street Lighting claim #6 - $161.00 presented. Motion made by George/Mohun to approve the special district claims, voting all ayes, carried.
Supervisor’s Financial Statement for April presented. Motion made by Mohun/Gadd to accept the Supervisor’s April financial statement. Voting all ayes, carried.
Correspondence: April 21st minutes from the Town of
Notice
from Tompkins Insurance regarding the securities pledged against all town
deposits and/or repurchase agreements for the Town of
Notice from the NYS Department of State re: Regional Community Revitalization and Training Forum, June 16th and 17th.
Certificates
of insurance received from Eastman Tree Specialist and Eugene Jawrowski naming the Town of
Letter
received from Annette
Forgnone,
Monthly reports from Assessor Wittmeyer and the Town Clerk.
Supervisor Grant received the Annual Water Quality Report from the Erie County Water Authority, included it with a report sent to the hamlet of Cowlesville.
Notice
from the Wyoming County Office of the Aging stating that Genevieve Davis was
named
Special Permit Application submitted by Michael Fontaine – Supervisor Grant reviewed the application and asked if anyone had any comments. There were 3 residents present. No comments from the floor. Supervisor Grant reported that at the May 26th meeting, Board Members reviewed the application, the County and Town Planning Boards both reviewed the application and recommended a Special Permit be issued for this project at the intersection of Church and Ortner Roads (the former Our Lady Help of Christians Church). Mr. Fontaine wants to make a sales office at that site. Will keep the public hearing open for a little while longer.
Departments: Highway – Highway Superintendent Jensen reported that last month bids were open for body & plow equipment for the new truck. He reviewed the specifications, all had the non-collusive bid certificate. Low bidder was Valley Fab & Equipment and recommended to the Town Board that they purchase the body & plow equipment from Valley Fab & Equipment for $72,653. Motion made by Mohun to accept the bid for the body & plow equipment from Valley Fab & Equipment for $72,653, seconded by Frounick. Councilman George asked Mr. Jensen if this plow equipment will be set up for one man to run. Mr. Jensen stated it will be set up so that one man could run it. Voting all ayes, carried.
Surplus Chipper - Superintendent asked Supervisor Grant if she received the check for the chipper, he can’t remember for sure if he gave it to her. Ms. Grant thought that she did deposit it, but will check.
Old surplus pick-up truck –Mr. Jensen reported that no bids came in and now there is a plug that has rusted off and broken, truck is at Ray Reiner’s now and he was told it would cost more to fix the truck then it’s worth. After short discussion, Supervisor Grant asked Mr. Jensen to get something in writing from Mr. Reiner on how much it would cost to repair the truck, just to justify not getting it fixed.
Mr. Jensen has a note to turn the water on at the park.
Superintendent Jensen asked about the engineer’s study, where are we at. Supervisor Grant reported the engineers were getting some of their preliminary information together about the town and believes that he was going to contact Mr. Jensen, but he also knew that Mr. Jensen was going to highway school.
Letter from Anne Forgnone – Mr. Jensen wants to contact Greg McKurth, County Soil & Water, to see what his recommendations are and then will contact Ms. Forgnone. Mr. McKurth has helped in the past with the Schoellkopf Roads projects. Discussion held.
Mr. Jensen also reported there are a few little issues that need to be cleaned up with regards to the violations written up by the Dept. of Labor, mainly work place violence training.
Zoning: Public Hearing for Mr. Fontaine – Supervisor Grant asked if
anyone present would like a last chance to speak at this time. No one
responded. Motion made by George, seconded by Gadd to
close the public hearing. Public hearing
closed at
Special Use Permit renewal
applications received from Michael Wulf,
Halsted - Grant, Mohun, George & Gadd voted aye – Councilman Frounick abstained, conflict.
Wulf - Voting was all ayes, carried.
Special Use permit for Mike Fontaine – Motion made by Mohun to approve his application for 1 Year, seconded by George. Voting all ayes, carried.
Assessment: Assessor Wittmeyer reported Grievance Day went very well, had 4 property
owners show. She has not received the Grievance Boards’ report yet. She
purchased a new lap top, worked with the state with respect to hardware
requirements prior to purchasing the computer and they are now helping her to
transition to the newest technology. She reported she took a 6 hour course at
Recreation: Councilman Frounick stated that the town needs to see a report on the money they take in from fund raising, sign-ups (registrations), sold hot dogs here at the book sale. They should be accountable as the Town Board is responsible. He asked how the book sale went. Supervisor Grant talked with people that came to it and they felt they hit a bonanza with all the books they could buy. Still a lot of books up there. Supervisor Grant feels they need to open it up another Saturday or two to try and get rid of some of the books. Discussion held on recreation/baseball with regard to the monies they take in for sign-ups and how it’s handled. Some of the sign-up money goes to pay the umpires etc. After a discussion regarding t-shirt money (Ellen reported they were going to tighten up on the sponsors, make sure the money was there before ordering the shirts) decided to have the Recreation and Baseball Directors present at the July Town Board meeting.
Transfer station: Supervisor Grant reported that one of the things that came up with the workplace violence assessment was having compactor safety because of the open space and having a policy developed, set up so that if one of the attendants has to go into the compactor, there are safety mechanisms in place. Jim, John and Ellen have a base policy, but need a good policy in place (lock out, tag out etc.), also Rick given some information from the Dept. of Labor (TESH), maybe can combine the two and come up with a policy that can be written up and posted at the transfer station. Discussion held.
Councilman George reported he was up there last Saturday, guy brought a couch in, asked if people dump stuff like that often up there. Clerk reported that he stopped by and paid for it. Mr. Jensen noted that if people bring big stuff like that all the time, will fill the compactor and then be no room for garbage, will be piled up outside, have to be careful when you take the big stuff. Noted should burn what’s in the burn barrel and get the barrel out of there. Mr. Jensen stated that was fine but still have to notify people we aren’t taking furniture, someone brought a load of brush in. After a discussion, decided to post a notice up there that we aren’t taking brush, furniture or construction material. Ms. Mohun volunteered her daughter to make a sign for the West side of the trailer.
Mr. Jensen informed the board
that there are two pallets of computer components. Councilman George volunteered his truck and
services to take the computer items to Ed. Arnold if he will take them for
nothing. Mr. Jensen going to also get rid of the tires.
Mr. Jensen explained to board members about the time the town used to close the
gate when the transfer station was closed, only to find garbage thrown over the
gate or left at the gate, leaving a big mess to clean up.
Water District: Supervisor Grant reported that the hydrant flushing was done today in the water district. They found some loose caps, which needed to be tightened, she will make the firemen aware of that. Mr. Jensen also suggested some kind of lubricant to make those caps come off easier. There is a food lubricant you can use on them which is safe to use, won’t contaminate the water etc.
Supervisor Grant reported the Annual Water Quality Report was sent out to billing customers in the water district and to the State and County Health Departments, also included copies of the general report from the Erie County Water Authority as well as the report specified for our district on the number of gallons used, number of households served etc.
She reported that the County Health Dept. in talking about water departments throughout the county, the general age of anyone involved within the water department is around 60 years old, concerned about people aging out and not able to get replacements. The Savakinas’ say they will work for a couple more years, maybe should start training someone else.
Public Concerns – nothing
Old Business: Name plates for Board Members/Justices at meetings/sessions – Last month Debbie Kipp submitted information regarding name plates. In addition to the positions mentioned in her info, Ellen would like to add the 2 justices. Prices quoted: 2 x 10 - $141; 2 x 12 - $176. After a short discussion, a motion was made by George/Gadd to purchase 2 x 10 name plates, voting all ayes, carried.
Parking lot sealing: Only 1 bid received from Pierce. Mr. Frounick would like at least one more. After a short discussion which included resealing up above, a motion made by Frounick to table the matter until next month to try and get more bids and to include sealing up above, sealing and striping below. Mr. Frounick will call Pierce and make sure he included striping and sealing up above. Board Members asked to look for/contact possible bidders.
New Business: Town Priorities
– Last month Ellen included in the Board Members Packets info from the
Comprehensive Plan (goals and objectives summary), Planning Board survey done
years ago and copies of the 2007 planning session. She’s looking for projects that they might like
to take action on in the next 12 to 18 months of what they want to accomplish.
Supervisor Grant reported that in the Town Master Plan, Goal # 1 was retaining
the rural and agricultural character in the town of
Councilman George asked about the cable TV, signed contract and told them to go for it. Supervisor Grant stated she doesn’t know where they are at, knows that Dave Nelson has contacted them, she received correspondence from them, changes in their line-up, the gentleman that used to be in Rochester is now in Buffalo, still doing the government liaison work, but doesn’t know what the hold-up is.
Supervisor Grant asked Board Members to look over the information and make up a list for next month as to what projects they would like done.
Grants
Other matters: Supervisor Grant announced that the time record keeping for employees in the NYS retirement system is due from each employee, has to be submitted to the state. They should get that information to the clerk.
Councilman George asked about grants
for the truck. Supervisor Grant said nothing was available. Found out that
Rural Development has $500 million in grants lined up in
Council Member Mohun stated that next month she wants to talk about the letter from Dadd & Nelson.
There being no further business,
a motion was made by Mohun, seconded by Gadd to enter into executive session to discuss union
negotiations. Voting all ayes, carried, board entered into executive Session at
Motion made by Gadd/George to come out of Executive Session at 9:
There being o further business a
motion was made by Mohun/Frounick to adjourn, the
meeting. Meeting adjourned at
Respectfully Submitted:
Judith Brown
Town Clerk